Prince Khalid Al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz has said that the train which connects the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the holy sites operated at 35% of its capacity during the previous Hajj season and that it will be fully operational by the Hajj season 2011 .

The newspaper "Al-Watan" reported that Mr. Al Faisal had declared that the main target behind the use of the train "is to ensure the quick transport of pilgrims and to ease their transfer between Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina".

He pointed out to the fact that "the objective of the four central roads that connects the Grand Mosque with the four entry points of Mecca is to provide pedestrian paths to welcome the increased number of pilgrims, and to allocate special tracks for the common transport as well as buses and railways."

It is worth noting that the 2011 / 1432 Umrah season will start by the end of January and that the Umrah service providers have already launched their early preparations and diffused their packages.

Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK, a Hajj specific National Charity, working for the welfare and wellbeing of British Pilgrims welcomes the conviction of Hajj/Umrah Tour and Travel operator by the Birmingham Crown Court.
This tour operator was responsible for malpractice, fraudulent activities, and the breach of Package Travel, Holiday, and Tour Regulations 1992.
Mr. Mark Jackson, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said Ahmad booked an all-inclusive package for Mr Noori and his family, which included the promise of four and five star accommodation in Makkah and Me...

During 3 days, from Saturday, December the 17th to Monday, December the 19th, the SIMM will welcome craftsmen, wholesalers, cultural and trade officers, as well as international Muslim scholars.
Exhibitors and guests will display their expertise and unveil the diversity of the Muslim culture as well as its intellectual and spiritual values.
Under the mottoes of « Knowledge », « Know-How » and « Letting know », the 2011 edition will showcase a rich and various program: conferences, workshops, animations, exhibitions, world food degustation, women fashion show.
Both « k...

Luxury hotels in Mecca were full for Hajj Luxury hotels around the Grand Mosque in Mecca were running full for this year's Hajj despite hundreds of new rooms opening.
"Makkah Hilton & Towers were a sell-out for the month surrounding Hajj," said Shuja Zaidi, the hotel's general manager and vice president for Hilton Worldwide projects in Saudi Arabia.
"We had expected rates to be lower than in 2010 due to the increased supply of hotel rooms in and around the Haram." But demand exceeded supply and rates remained "in line" with last year.